This promdi (hillbilly) blogger goes to Parañaque City on Saturday, 08 August 2009 because there’s a good chance I’d have a place in the Top 10 Influential Blogs of 2009. Did I do well in Janette Toral’s writing project? I am not sure yet.
If you’re socially clueless like me and need pointers, Rey Jr has written a good post on how to prepare for a blog event.
This is tough for me, you know? I’m better read than seen. And my social skills? Far from exemplary. Small talks exasperate me. What do I say after I say hello? What if the person I’m seated next to goes on and on how he makes good money on his blog? Can I give him the glassy eyed stare to indicate I’m bored to tears? Is that allowed?
And I have a poor attention span. Two weeks ago, a man sauntered into our little store with a big smile plastered on his face.
“How can I help you, sir?”
“Oh, Mr Geronimo, I have brought your insurance policy. Our Manila office just sent these,” the man said, fishing out papers from a manila envelope, “All we need is your signature, sir. And you’re all set.”
“What?! Did not,” I hissed at the insurance agent
“Yes, you did, sir.”
And the man just upped the wattage on his big smile. It seemed that he had talked me into signing up for an insurance policy at this certain date. According to him, we had already agreed to the terms and type of insurance coverage.
He then talked at length about Longevity – the type of insurance I had allegedly agreed to. Go to hell – this was the first thought that crossed my mind. But something clicked inside my head. I began to like what he’s saying. And because I can relate it to my aspirations in blogging I relented.
In a nutshell, I made him happy that day. I would have preferred to insure my blogging fingers, but there’s a time for that. Maybe in the future. But honestly? I really did not remember that I agreed to his spiel. Of course, I remembered him coming to the store. But that’s about it.
It seemed he walked in while I was writing for the blog. That explained my memory loss then. I was entirely in a parallel universe at that time. Of course, he came out of the store smiling. He was able to get from me insurance premium for one quarter.
Moral lesson learned: Don’t ever agree to what anybody is saying while you’re blogging. Whoever that person maybe – your wife, significant other, children. Especially a salesman. Or you will surely regret it. Either drop everything, give the interloper your full attention or hang a sign outside, “Genius at work. Do not disturb.”
Which brings me back to my concerns with social events. What if I’m done eating and I’m bored stiff? Can I whip out my intermediate pad and start outlining a mind map of blog post ideas? After all, that kind of thing is considered a down time, right? Can I just beam myself into my parallel universe so I’d enjoy myself?
A few hours ago, I watched a YouTube video of the Top 10 influential blogs of 2008. Oh boy, the winners took turns at the microphone. Speeches. Yay. What could be more horrible for me than that? I hate speaking in front of strangers. Not me at all. Do you think I can live down the experience of wetting my pants in front of these cool and influential bloggers?
I think I should practice in the bathroom mirror. There’s still time. It’s that or I should bring in some smelling salts just in case.
What about you, guys? What are the things you’d rather not do as a blogger?
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